Understanding Social Sciences: Epistemology, Ontology, Ethics, and Cross-Cultural Research

This article discusses the importance of epistemology and ontology in gaining knowledge, the difference between qualitative and quantitative research methods, the significance of ethics in organizations, and the challenges of conducting social research in a cross-cultural context.

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Social sciences
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[Student’s name]
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Understanding world critically involves researching and analyzing a lot of information. The body
of knowledge is very deep but through discussions and learning various points have been raised
concerning the body of knowledge. Knowledge is addressed well by epistemology which is
concerned by the way we are able to know things (Scotland, 2012, p.9). On the other hand
ontology is about what things are in their existence. According to the seminars I have attended,
presenters favor epistemology over ontology because it states that knowledge is gained by
viewing an object in various ways. I agree with the statements because people have different
perspectives and that enables individuals to gain knowledge in different ways.
Social research is conducted using various methods but the main ones are qualitative and
quantitative methods. Quantitative methods have predetermined structures which has to be
followed when analyzing results because it is much older than qualitative methods. Qualitative
methods are very new and are still evolving (Yilmaz, 2013, p.315). In social research, much of
the collected data cannot be quantified and results are expressed qualitatively. Social research in
most cases is described because quantitative analysis will result to poor results which can
mislead researchers in their quest to understand different social aspects.
Ethics is about determining what is wrong from what is right. Ethical practices in organizations
helps the organization to have a good image and relationship with the involved stakeholders and
society. The good relationship with employees will help to attract the best talents that will help
the organization have edge cutting solutions and competitive advantage (Hassan, et al.2013,
p.139). Ethics also helps organizations and even individuals to preserve environment and enable
environmental sustainability. According to workshops I have attended, ethics also helps to
facilitate corporate governance which will ensure that organizations are well managed so as to

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avoid exploitation of employees and environmental pollution. This helps to build economic
sustainability in the society.
Conducting social research in a cross cultural context has proved to be very challenging
according to researchers who have interest in social sciences. Cross cultural context has many
cultures which has varying cultural beliefs that affect the research in different ways (He, and van
de Vijver, 2012, p.8). Each culture also has different ethics which researchers have to embrace
in order to carry the research effectively without the resistance of the subjects of study. The
results of the study will also be inconclusive as researcher may select a study sample of people
from different cultures. The researcher will get wrong results after spending a lot of time and
resources in the research. Without doubt, I agree that conducting social research in a cross
cultural context is very complex.

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References
Hassan, S., Mahsud, R., Yukl, G. and Prussia, G.E., 2013. Ethical and empowering leadership
and leader effectiveness. Journal of Managerial Psychology, 28(2), pp.133-146.
He, J. and van de Vijver, F., 2012. Bias and equivalence in cross-cultural research. Online
readings in psychology and culture, 2(2), p.8.
Scotland, J., 2012. Exploring the philosophical underpinnings of research: Relating ontology and
epistemology to the methodology and methods of the scientific, interpretive, and critical research
paradigms. English Language Teaching, 5(9), p.9.
Yilmaz, K., 2013. Comparison of quantitative and qualitative research traditions:
Epistemological, theoretical, and methodological differences. European Journal of Education,
48(2), pp.311-325.